Grabbed this story from RaysIndex.com, as they were the first website to break the info that Carlos Pena would indeed make the All-Star Game this year.
Had he not made the team, it would have been the first time since 1993 that the Home Run leader going into the All Star game was NOT an All Star.
Mickey Tettleton was with the Detroit Tigers in 1993 and did NOT make the All Star team despite leading the AL in home runs at the break.
A couple of programming notes this morning via Marc Lancaster…
- The entire Rays infield will now be in St. Louis for the All-Star game. Carlos Pena has been added to the AL roster to replace Dustin Pedroia. Pedroia’s wife is currently in the hospital and may be set to deliver their baby a few weeks early.
- Also, Grant Balfour has been added to the bereavement list and John Jaso has been promoted and will join the team today. This is likely just a one game move as Balfour is expected back Friday. Jaso appeared in 5 games for the Rays last September.
On a side note…does the removal of Pedroia make Ben Zobrist the starting second baseman for the AL?
I am glad to see Jaso called up, even if its not for long. He has been a favorite of mine for a year or two now, and despite what others say, I think Jaso is the catcher of the future for the Rays. With Dioner Navarro disappointing this year, and Shawn Riggins always seeming to find his way to the DL, hopefully Jaso will get his chance very soon.
Thomas Gemkow is the editor-in-chief of TampaBayRaysFan.com. Founded in January of 2009, TampaBayRaysFan.com is a compilation of all the best of the Rays, from across the web. The website can be followed on Twitter
